OT: Software Licensing

[Charles Martin]

> From: e.mkeene <e.mkeene at wap.org>
> Example 4:
>
Example 5:

I go into a MSDonald's, a new joint venture between Microsoft and 
McDonald's.

I purchase a burger. An employee first tests my blood to be sure that I 
have not been eating burgers from other restaurants. She cautions me 
that this burger will ONLY be eaten on Microsoft property and that I 
must stay there until I finish it, and must also sign a pledge never to 
eat at any other restaurant.

The burger is delivered to me. Before I am allowed to take it to my 
cubicle (they don't have normal tables at this place), I must read and 
sign an 80-page form I do not understand, though I am alarmed by a 
clause I spot at the end that says that Microsoft owns anything I 
create, say or do during the period this burger is inside me (as it is 
"fueling" my actions). The clerk waves it off saying this is 
industry-standard jargon and everybody uses it.

I take the burger back to my cubicle and unwrap it. On the inside of 
the wrapper is a notice that says that now that I have opened the 
burger, it is unreturnable. Furthermore, it says, I must report to the 
front counter to tell them I have eaten the burger within 15 minutes of 
having done so, or it will forcible eject itself from me in unpleasant 
ways. Finally, it informs me that this burger will taste better if I 
also order a MSMcShake and some MSFries. Luckily, I already did that.

I eat the burger. I notice it has a funny taste. I ask the manager 
about it, and he informs me that MSDonald burgers contain a special 
chemical agent that sticks to the lining of my throat and stomach, and 
make burgers from all other restaurants taste revolting to me.

Halfway through eating my meal, I am informed by intercom that I must 
report back to the front counter to receive an "upgrade." It turns out 
there were bugs in my food. They give me a new burger, fries and shake 
and disgard my half-eaten one, but charge me full price again. When I 
point out that there are visible insect parts in this meal too, I am 
told that there are FEWER bugs in this one than the last one, and 
probably DIFFERENT ones as well, and not to complain.

Outraged, I leave the restaurant (I have to leave the food behind, by 
law) and head home to call my the Justice Department. They answer the 
phone "MS Justice, how can we help you?"

_Chas_

The CPU speed wars are over. We won.
http://www.apple.com/powermac/